Thread: Governor of Mexican border state asks for army checkpoints

http://www.signonsandiego.com

Governor of Mexican border state asks for army checkpoints after string of drug-related killings


By Olga Rodriguez
ASSOCIATED PRESS

4:19 p.m. July 26, 2006

MONTERREY, Mexico – Gov. Natividad Gonzalez of Nuevo Leon state, on the border with Texas, asked the army to man road checkpoints on Wednesday after four brutal killings that appear to be linked to a bloody turf war between rival drug gangs.

Gonzalez's request came hours after at least two assailants shot a man to death in broad daylight at a car wash in Monterrey, the state capital.

On Monday, Monterrey police found two corpses, including one who had been decapitated. On Sunday, at least 15 gunmen shot at the car of federal investigator Veronica Palacios, seriously injuring her and killing a female passenger

“(We're asking) for reinforcement in some checkpoints, especially those on the highways leading to Coahuila and Tamaulipas and in some other areas in the state,' Gonzalez told reporters.

Army check points are already used in several Mexican states including neighboring Tamaulipas state, where there have been more than 100 drug related killings this year.

Soldiers also regularly accompany federal agents in raids against drug traffickers across Mexico.

State police said they did not know the identity of Wednesday's victim, who was shot four times.

The victim found beheaded on Monday has been identified as 17-year-old Julio de Leon of Nuevo Laredo, across the river from Laredo, Texas. Next to the body were two notes addressed to reputed drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman of the Sinaloa Cartel.

Investigators say the Sinaloa Cartel is fighting the Gulf Cartel for billion-dollar drug smuggling routes into the United States. The battle has led to beheadings, grenade attacks and execution-style killings across Mexico. A hot spot has been Nuevo Laredo, where there have been slayings on an almost daily basis this year.

Gonzalez said that Nuevo Laredo drug smugglers may be moving to Monterrey to hide from rivals looking to kill them.

“Monterrey, after Mexico City, is one of the biggest cities and obviously they are looking at this city as a haven,” Gonzalez said.

Build the fence, now!

Secure our borders! We have enough crime, done by both illegal aliens as well as home grown.

No more.